Harvest quickly progressed because of the warm and dry weather in most areas of the province during the last week of August.
Crops rapidly dried down and the majority of producers are now in the field. Twenty-eight per cent of the provincial crop went into the bin, up from 15 per cent last week and well ahead of the five-year (2015-2019) average of 22 per cent for this time of year. An additional 27 per cent of the crop is now swathed or ready to straight-cut.
The southwest region continued to have made the most progress in the province, with 50 per cent of the crop combined. The southeast region had 39 per cent combined, the west-central 25 per cent, the east-central 20 per cent, the northeast 10 per cent and the northwest three per cent.
Ninety-nine per cent of fall rye, 96 per cent of winter wheat, 81 per cent of lentils, 73 per cent of field peas, 53 per cent of mustard, 37 per cent of durum, 28 per cent of chickpeas, 19 per cent of spring wheat and 11 per cent of canola has now been combined. An additional 40 per cent of canola and 23 per cent of mustard is swathed or ready to straight-cut.
The majority of the province did not receive significant rainfall last week, although some areas reported close to 25 mm.
The Hudson Bay area reported the highest amount of rain this past week with 37 mm.
Topsoil moisture conditions deteriorated in most areas due to high temperatures, strong winds and lack of moisture. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as two per cent surplus, 32 per cent adequate, 47 per cent short and 19 per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture are rated as one per cent surplus, 21 per cent adequate, 44 per cent short and 34 per cent very short.
Most crop damage this past week was due to diseases such as ergot, lack of moisture and strong winds blowing swaths about.
There were some reports of light frost, but damage appeared to be minimal. Many producers have reported field and combine fires due to the dry conditions. Reported yields so far were about average with some areas indicating yields will be less than anticipated due to the hot and dry conditions over much of August.
A complete, printable version of the Crop Report is available online.
